They weren't perfect at answering questions -- both of them dodged a few here and there. Palin sure seemed nervous though. She was briefly shaking on camera and kept saying "Thank you" to Biden at the end of the debate. She sounded like she was very coached and trying her best to stick to the script. Biden was loose, relaxed, and in charge.

Best points of the debate:

* Biden pointed out that deregulation caused the current problem on Wall Street. Palin had no response.* Palin played the "military mom", "special needs mom", and "hockey mom" cards. Biden trumped it with the "solo dad" card.* I heard Biden cite a number of facts and laws. I don't think I heard Palin cite anything.* While arguing over the surge, Palin claimed that the strategy behind the surge isn't just a large mobilization of troops. I'd love to know what the surge is in her words.

I noticed her pronunciation, but I didn't notice Biden emphasizing the more common pronunciation.

I don't really have a negative view of "nucular", though most people do. Jimmy Carter -- probably the best informed president about nuclear energy -- said "nucular". Who am I to disagree with a nucular engineer?

I swear to God, I saw a clip of a presidential debate between Reagan and Carter where Carter pronounced "nuclear weaponry" as "nukear weaponry". But I guess it's true that pronunciation is a minor point.

I only caught about the last 25 minutes of the debate, but one thing Biden said that I hope he truly meant was that he doesn't question the motives of his fellow congressmen/women, he only questions their judgment. I think it brings a level of civility to a debate when we don't delve into speculation about our opponents' motives and simply stick to discussing the reasons we support or oppose particular measures.